Wall construction



Nov. 27, 1934. H. HoLDswcam-Hl WALL C ONS TRUCT I ON Filed Sept. 2. V1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l Irl..

ATTORN EYS,

Hri I?? NOV. 27, 1934. HOILDSQWRTH 1,982,104

WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 2, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A T T ORNE YS.

fwe 27, 1934. H HQLDSWORTH 1,982,104

WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 2, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 In BY lfm/ 75 M LJ ATTORN EYS- Patented Nov. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES Parri-:Nr OFFICE WALL CONSTRUCTION York Application september 2, 193s, serial Nn. 687,952

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved wall construction.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a construction for partitions, walls, and the like, so that said building units can be conveniently and economically manufactured and assembled. Likewise, the improved walls and partitions are light, rigid and durable, and they are properly bound to the plaster or other covering iii material, if such covering material is used.

Another object of my invention is to provide building elements for constructing walls, partitions, and the like, said elements being generally similar to each other, save for certain changes which are necessary in starting and finishing walls, and the like, so that walls or partitions of any desired length can be constructed by assembling a suitable number of these elements.

Other objects of my invention will be set forth in the following description and drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof, it being understood that the above general statement of the objects of my invention is intended merely to generally explain the same and not to limit it in any manner.

Fig. 1 is an elevation illustrating the construe-1 construction at a corner.

Referring to Fig. 8, each element which is used for constructing the improved wall or partition,

(save the elements which are used for starting or finishing the partition, or for other special purposes) consists essentially of a central rib 1, and end ribs 2 and 3. The ribs 1 and 2 are of identical construction.

Referring to Fig. 8, each of the ribs 1 and 2 has a general triangular cross-section, and each of said ribs is provided with flanges 4. Said ribs may be stamped or otherwise made from any suitable metal, such as sheet metal or the like. Said ribs 1 and 2 are likewise provided with lateral openings 5 which are used for connecting adjacent elements to each other. Likewise, said lateral openings 5 permit the entrance of the plaster P or other finishing material so that the plaster penetrates and fills said ribs.

Wire mesh M or other suitable material (either perforate or imperforate) is connected to the flanges 4 of the ribs 1 and 2, by means of spot welding at the points 6, or by any suitable fastening means of any kind. The wire mesh or the like, therefore reinforces the' ribs 1 and 2, since it forms a third leg of the triangular crosssections of said ribs. The rib 3 which is provided at one end of each said element, also has a general triangular cross-section, which is larger than the cross-section of the ribs 1 and 2. Hence, the rib 3 of one section can overlap the end rib 70 2 of the adjacent section, this being illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 8. One edge of the rib 3 is free from a flange, although a flange could be provided if desired, similar to the flange 4. The other or inner edge of said rib 3 is provided 75 with a flange '7, having an inner end 7a, which is offset from the body thereof. The wire mesh M or other material, is also welded or otherwise suitably connected at the points 8, to the member 7a. Hence, when the elements are assem- 8( bled, the mesh members of the respective sections are aligned with each other, and their lateral surfaces are in substantially the same planes.

The ribs 1, 2 and 3 are likewise provided with openings 9, through which the plaster or other plastic material can enter. Said openings 9 have the general rectangular shape shown in Fig. 1. their corners being rounded, and said openings 9 also make it possible to connect the elements which are used for constructing a double wall, by means of a spacer 10 having notches 11. When the spacer 10 is put into position, the notches 11 thereofiit over the adjacent portions of the walls of the ribs, so that the parallel elements are held against relative movement, out of the desired parallel position. In order to connect overlapping ribs 2 and 3, ordinary nails 12 can be used, as shown in Fig. 2. Said nails preferably have a loose fit in the openings 5, as the final union between the parts is made by the plaster or other material, although there is a fairly snug fit between overlapping ribs 2 and 3. However, there may be a small space between overlapping ribs 2 and 3, if this is desired.

The ribs 1, 2 and 3 may be of any desired 105 height, corresponding to the height of the wall or partition. The upper ends of said ribs (including the pairs of overlapping ribs) enter the openings 14, in the bottom flanges 15 of the ceiling members 16. Said ceiling member 16 have 1,10

flanges 17 which abut the ceiling beams or the like, and said flanges 17 are connected to the ceiling beams or to any other support by means of nails 18, which pass through openings 19, provided in the anges 17.

If desired, the overlapping ribs 3 can be made shorter than the ribs 1 and. 2, so that the overlapping ribs 3 do not enter the ceiling members 16. The ceiling members 16 are also provided with openings 20, through which the plaster or the like, can pass. Said openings 20 are provided at both sides of each ceiling member 16, only one of said sides being shown in Fig. 6. The bottoms of the ribs 1, 2 and 3 enter recesses 21 which are provided in floor members 22. Said ceiling members 16 and said floor members 22 can be stamped or otherwise made out of sheet metal, or any other suitable material. The oor members 22 have nanges 23 which are connected to the oor beams or the like by means of nails 24, which pass through openings 25. The vertical walls of the floor members are provided with "plaster holes 24a, through which the plaster or the like can pass. Said oor members 22 are provided with recesses 26, and the bottoms of the ribs are held in position by means of wedgeshaped keys 27, which are driven into said slots or recesses 26. It will be noted that the recess 21 is open at the front thereof, so that the upper ends of the ribs 1 and 2, and of rib 3 (if desired) can be pushed upwardly so as to enter the openings 14, and the lower ends of said ribs can then be readily swung into the openings or recesses 21.

This construction is very light, strong and rigid, because the Wire mesh or other material can be welded or otherwise suitably secured to the ribs, before the elements are assembled. This also greatly decreases the cost of production, and it makes it possible to apply the wire mesh in perfectly planar form to said ribs. The wire mesh or other material may be even under a certain tension, as it is welded to the ribs, vin order to secure a rigid construction. The floor and ceiling elements, 16 and 22, may be of any desired length.

In order to start a wall, a'rib 2a isutilized,V of the type shown in Fig. 2. Thisvrib 2a generally corresponds to therib 2, save that it has v an additional flange 28, which is perpendicular to the flanges 4. In constructing the rib 2a, one of the flanges 4 may be made wider than the other nange 4, this detail being shown in Fig. 2. The third flange 28 of the rib 2a is connected to' the corresponding wall, by means of a fastening member 29. In order to finish a wall, the construction shown in Fig. 4 is utilized. This consists of an angular member 30, which is connected to one of the walls by means' of a fastening member 31.

4Said angular member 30 is connected to the wire* mesh of one of the elements, byv means of a number ofhorizontal ribs RQwhich are welded or otherwise suitably secured v to the wire mesh M. At the points where said horizontal ribs R are welded to the wire mesh, the spot welding may also be extended to the flanges of the vertical ribs, and if fastening members or fastening devices of any kind are used, the same effect can be secured in order to give maximum strength and rigidity.

The construction illustrated in Fig. 4 is used when it is desired to connect'A a partition to a finished wall. f f

When two walls, perpendicular to each other, are originally constructed, the construction shown in Fig. 10 is utilized. This comprises a corner member 34 having flanges 35 and 36 which are perpendicular to each other. The wire mesh in each part of the corner construction, is connected. to said corner member 34 by means of fastening members 37 having legs 38. These fastening members 37 pass through openings 39 and through the wire mesh.

As shown in Fig'. 10, each of these fastening members 37 is=provided with a head and with two bendable legs. 'I'hese legs can be inserted through the openings 39 and through the wire mesh, and the ends of said legs can be' bent as shown in Fig. 10. Each corner member 34 has the full height of the walls. Whenever it is necessary to include a door in the Wall or partition, the construction shown in Fig. 3 is utilized. This shows the door jamb D which may be of any suitable construction. Said member D has parallel flanges, between which there is located a member 40 having parallel flanges 41. The members D and l40 are made of any suitable metal or other material. 'I'he vertical member 40 is connected to the adjacent flanges of the member D, by means of a bolt 42, having a nut 43. Said bolt 42 also passes through an opening in the wire mesh M, as said mesh extends into the interior of said hollow member 40. The mesh M is likewise connected tov the fanges 41 by means of a bolt 44 having a nut 45. Said bolt 44 has a head of the usual type, and the shank of said bolt 44 is passed through suitable openings 46, of the flanges 41, and through the wire mesh 45. Any suitable number of said bolts 42 and 44 can be utilized.

As'shown in Fig. 1, the member 40 is provided with plaster holes 47, in order to admit the plaster which is applied above the top of the door.

As shown in Fig. 1, the vertical members 40 enter the ceiling members, and they also enter the floor members.

It will be noted that a basic wall element has been provided which can be utilized in a simple and flexible manner in constructing new buildings, and in constructing partitions for buildings which have been previously erected.

It will be noted that whenever a wall element is referred to in the claims, this includes the conherein may be used for constructing floors, ceilings, or the like. i.

While ribs having triangular cross-sections have been illustrated, the invention generally applies to any hollow rib having an open side (which may be provided with flanges), a mem- -or partitions. the building element specified ber (Such as the mesh M) being connected to both edges of said open side, and extending beyond said rib.

For convenience, the ribs 2 and 3 may be designated as edge-ribs of each element, and it will be noted that the metal member M is connected to both edges of the open side of the rib 2, and to only a single edge of the open side of the rib 3.

For convenience, the faces of the ribs in which the openings 9 are located, may be designated as the outer faces of said ribs. While ribs of triangular cross-section have been illustrated, the invention generally applies to hollow ribs having any desired cross-section. This cross-section may be polygonal (having four or more sides), in which case the inner rib 2 could be slid into the corresponding outer rib 3.

It will be noted that the upper ends of the ribs may extend sufliciently above the wire mesh, in order to enable said upper ends to enter the openings 14. The lower ends of said ribs may likewise extend a sufficient distance below the wire mesh or other connecting means.

In many cases it is desired to provide soundproofing between one floor and another. According to this invention, this can be very simply and efficiently done by providing a strip of felt or other suitable sound-proofing material, between the ceiling beams and the ceiling members 16, and also between the floor beams and the floor members 22. In such case the nails or other fastening members which pass through the holes 19 and 25, would pass through said strips of sound-proofing material.

This will provide a cushion of sound-insulating material upon each floor, and the floors above and below the same, which is especially useful in the design of a tall building. The plaster or other finishing material will cover and conceal the cushions of sound-proofing material.

Referring to Fig. 5, the bottoms of the vertical ribs would rest on such cushions. The tops of the ribs are spaced from the ceiling beams. Since the felt cushions or the like are somewhat yieldable, the partition has a certain amount of give, which is particularly valuable in providing walls or partitions for tall buildings, which have considerable sway. In such tall buildings, ordinary walls or partitions crack and the improved partition is substantially proof against cracking. The use of the openings 5 and 9 is of particular advantage because it prevents the plaster from cracking. If a rib is made imperforate the plaster tends to shrink away from the rib when there is a change in temperature because the plaster and the metal rib have different coefficients of expansion. However by providing openings of sufficient size and number in the ribs, the plaster enters and substantially fills these ribs so that the plaster is firmly bound to the ribs and cracking is eliminated.

I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, but it is clear that numerous changes and omissions can be made without departing from its spirit.

I claim:

1. A building element comprising a hollow rib having an open side, and a metal member connected to both edges of said open side, and extending beyond said rib, said ribs having openings in the body thereof through vwhich plaster can enter said rib to be bonded thereto.

2. A building element comprising a perforate metal member, and hollow ribs connected to said perforate metal member adjacent the edges thereof, each of said hollow ribs having open sides adsection of the last mentioned rib generally corresponding to and being larger than the crosssection of the first mentiond rib.

3. In combination, a pair of building elements, each said element comprising a metal member having a first edge-rib and a second edge-rib connected thereto adjacent the edges thereof, said ribs being hollow, the first edge-rib having an open side whose edges are connected to said metal member, the second edge-rib having an open side of which only a single edge is connected to said metal member, the second edge-rib of one element overlapping the first edge-rib `of the other element.

4. In combination, a pair of building elements, each said element comprising a metal member having a first edge-rib and a second edge-rib connected thereto adjacent the edges thereof, said ribs being hollow, the rst edge-rib having an open side whose edges are connected to said metal member, the second edge-ribs having an open side of which only a single edge is connected to said metal member, the second edge-rib of one elementtoverlapping the first edge-rib of the other element, said ribs having openings in the faces thereof, through which fastening means can be passed.

5. In combination, a pair of building elements, each said element comprising a metal member having a first edge-rib and a second edge-rib connected thereto adjacent the edges thereof, said ribs being hollow, the first edge-rib having an open side whose edges are connected to said metal member, the second edge-ribs havingran open side of which only a si ngle edge is connected to said metal member, the second edge-rib of one element overlapping the first edge-rib of the other element, the edge of the second edge-rib to which the metal member is connected having a flange which is provided with an offset portion to which said metal member is directly connected so that the metal members of the respective sections are aligned with each other.

6. In combination, a pair of building elements, each said element comprising a metal member having a rst edge-rib and a second edge-rib connected thereto adjacent the edges thereof, said ribs being hollow, the first edge-rib having an open side whose edges are connected to said metal member, the second edge-rib having an open side of which only a single edge is connected to said metal member, the second edge-rib of one element overlapping the first edge-rib of the other element, the second edge-rib being shorter than the first edge-rib.

7. In combination, a pair of building elements, each said element comprising a metal member having a first edge-rib and a second edge-rib connected thereto adjacent the edges thereof, said ribs being hollow, the rst edge-rib having an open side whose edges are connected to said metal member, the second edge-ribs having an open side of which only a single edge is connected to said metal member, the second edge-rib of on\e ele ment overlapping the first edge-rib of the other element, the edge of the second edge-rib to which the metal member is connected having a flange which is provided with an offset portion to which said metal member is directly connected so that the metal members of the respective sections are aligned with each other, the top o! the second edge-rib being below the top of the adjacent rst edge-rib.

8. In combination, a hollow ceiling member having openings in its bottom face, a hollow oor member having openings, each of the openings in said door member extending into the top face and into the front face thereof, and wall sections having vertical ribs whose upper and lower ends extend respectively into said openings, means for' retaining thel lower ends of said ribs in the openings in the iioor member, and wire mesh sections connected to said ribs.

9. In combination, a hollow ceiling member having openings in its bottom face, a hollow iloor member having openings, each of the openings in said floor member extending into the top face and into the front face thereof, and wall sections having vertical ribs whose upper and lower ends extend respectively into said openings, means for retaining the lower ends of said ribs in theopenings in the oor member, and wire mesh sections connected to said ribs, said ribs being hollow and having spaced vertical edges, each Asaid wire mesh section being connected at one edge thereof to 11. A building construction comprising metal ceiling elements and metal oor elements, yieldable cushions between the oor elements and the floor beams, upstanding ribs located within said ceiling elements and said oor elements, the bottoms of said upstanding ribs resting upon said cushions, and metal members connecting said upstanding ribs, the tops of said ribs being vertically spaced from the ceiling beams.

12. A buildingV construction comprising metal ceiling elements and metal :door elements, yieldable cushions located between the ceiling elements and the ceiling beams, yieldable cushions located between the oor elements and the floorbeams, upstanding ribs having their ends within said elements, the bottoms of said ribs resting upon the adjacent cushions, and metal members connecting said ribs..

13. 1n combination, a hollow rib having an open side, perforate metal material connected to both edges of said open side and extending beyond said rib, plastic finishing material covering said vrib and said perforate metal material, said rib having openings therein, said plastic finishing material extending through said openings and into said rib, so as to bond said plastic material and said rib to each other.

14. A building element comprising a hollow rib having an open side, and a perforate metal member connected to both edges of said open side and extending'beyond said rib, said rib having a tapered cross "section, the longitudinal apex of said rib having openings therein. 

